A review by yellowbinge
Homelessness Through The Eyes Of A Nurse In The City by Crystal E. Barker

2.0

Publishing date: 27.04.2023

Thank you to NetGalley and Poets Choice for the ARC. My opinions are my own. 

Negatives: 

Wish it was written from the perspective of someone homeless or has been homeless

A little too short

Poem length felt really restricted

Positives: 

Gives a little more insight on homelessness

Very emotional and dour

Features: 

49 short poems all in the same style and length, features different perspectives of the homeless, mixed optimism and sadness

Why did I choose this one? 

I thought that poems centered around homelessness would be interesting and heartbreaking to read. I am also trying to expand my reading horizons. Stepping into a theme like this through poems felt like a good choice.

Pick-up-able? Put-down-able? 

Pick-up-able. This is a really short book with really short poems. You can read this all in a single sitting. I personally didn't, but I believe I could if it was more catching

What was the vibe and mood? 

Hopeless. Depressed. A little pinch of hope and optimism. 

Final ranking and star rating? 

D tier, 2 stars. I could not connect or "feel for" this collection as much as I wanted to. The restricted length of each poem didn't help. It is very clear that the author has not been / is homeless and can't get that personal, up and close view of homelessness. Certain poems also ruffled my feathers for unknown reasons, a little like a bad pit in my stomach. 

Sadly a miss, but others might connect more to the collection.